You Were Never Really Here review: An impactful arthouse actioner
By Matt Conway
Lynne Ramsay’s latest You Were Never Really Here is a visceral achievement in craftsmanship and thematic storytelling.
While he has received some flak over the years for his outspoken personality, Joaquin Phoenix’s talents as an actor are undeniably impressive. Strong efforts in films like The Master, Her, and Inherent Vice have shown Pheonix’s impressive range and emotional dedication to every role. Let’s also not forget when he dedicated two years of his life portraying a rapper persona in the pseudo-documentary I’m Still Here, which demonstrated Pheonix’s incomparable dedication to his craft.
Phoenix is back in You Were Never Really, which teams him with a equally-talented craftsman in writer/director Lynne Ramsay. The film follows Joe, a traumatized veteran who works as a hired hand for tracking down missing girls. When he gets involved in a conspiracy larger than he could have ever imagined, Joe is pushed to his breaking point as his past begins to unearth onto him.
Making an impact with its widely original craftsmanship and meditative approach to the action genre, You Were Never Really Here easily ranks among the year’s most accomplished films.
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To describe You Were Never Really Here as an action film doesn’t paint an accurate picture, as Ramsay film acts more as a deconstruction of the genre and its tropes. Ramsay isn’t the first director to attempt an arthouse actioner (Drive and Good Time), but her efforts make the film stand on its own.
Ramsay’s direction is visceral in the most profound way, as she implements the “show not tell” methodology to perfection. The use of flashbacks and jump cuts are effective in depicting the uneasy mental state of Joe, with shocking imagery putting the audience in the character’s unstable mindset. Ramsay’s depiction of violence is also powerful in how little it shows, with her clever cuts effectively conveying the action while not playing it up the brutality for entertainment value. Few films are able to masterfully engage from the first shot onward, yet Ramsay’s innovative and artful stylistic choices constantly kept me on the edge of my seat. I also can not forget to mention Johnny Greenwood’s masterful score, which is among his best work and adds to films stylistic flair.
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Thankfully, this is not an exercise in style over substance, as the script packs an impactful punch. Some viewers will be frustrated by the films abstract approach to its seemingly familiar narrative, but I appreciate Ramsay’s unique approach because she doesn’t talk down to her audience. The focus of the film is on trauma, as Joe constantly finds himself living the nightmare of his past. Not only is this idea folded seamlessly into the narrative, but its conveyed with depth and emotional impact.
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As usual, Joaquin Pheonix makes a sizable impact with another fantastic performance. Phoenix’s naturalism as an actor stands on its own, with each longing glance and pained expression bringing Joe to life with such effortless depth. Similar to the film’s dynamic style, Pheonix’s engrossing performance left me breathless.
You Were Never Really Here is the kind of impressive achievement that makes me invigorated to go to the theater. It’s a masterfully executed and impactful film that will stick with me long after viewing.